In Autumn last year I hinted towards a big project that I had become part of, and I’m so excited to finally be able to blog about it: I’m Valspar Paint’s Brand and Colour Ambassador! The moment the Valspar Paint team approached me with the idea of the partnership I was immediately sold on the project. Entitled ‘colour outside the lines’, their campaign to launch America’s second largest paint brand in the UK market would focus on inspiring people to invite more colour into their homes and lives. If you have been reading Bright.Bazaar for a while, you’ll instantly understand how this is identical to the message I started Bright.Bazaar with six years ago. The brand’s values and aims are so well aligned with my own that felt so exciting to work alongside like-minded people who were as passionate about colour and paint as I.
The first part of our partnership was to work on a nationwide TV commercial together. I really appreciated how the Valspar team and their creative agency were keen to show each person’s individual relationship with colour in the advert. It was an honour to be chosen to feature alongside talented artists who I have admired for many years. As my relationship with colour focuses around utlising social media platforms to inspire others to dive into their own colourful journeys, the advert follows me as I go ‘colour hunting’ around London. The team literally filmed me as I explored the city, discovering new-to-me colourful walls in real time – it was an incredible moment when I happened upon a yellow and blue building (by complete chance, honestly!) that matched the outfit I was wearing. See for yourself, by watching the TV commercial below: “Your imagination, your colours, they are yours to keep.” Of course, I love the bright, bold and eclectic visuals of the advert, but it’s the voiceover words that really struck a cord and pull it all together for me. If I’m honest, the first few times I watched the finished advert there was a lump in my throat. You may have read the introduction to my first Bright.Bazaar book, in which I talk about my relationship with colour and how it’s been the foil of my life in good times and bad. The Valspar advert resonates with me on that level and reminds me of how grateful I am to be able to see and experience all of natures vibrant hues, and how much happiness colour brings to my life. It might sound ridiculous but put me in a completely colourless hotel room for more than 24hours and I genuinely start to feel sad. For me, colour is the zest of life and I really feel like this commercial portrays that for all those involved, while also helping those watching to think about *their* colours – the exact aim of the Colour Cocktails chapter in my book.
One of the most awesome things about Valspar Paint is their colour match service. Of course, colour matching for paint is no new thing but Valspar do it with a difference. Instead of matching the colour of, say, your favourite pair of shoes to a colour aleady in their system, their software creates the colour from a range of two million possibilities! Plus, they can save your created colours on their system so that when you visit any B&Q store you can call up your colour and get another pot of the exact same paint that’s completely personal to you. Awesome, right?
As well as the TV commercial Valspar and I have loads of exciting collaborations to come in the near future – there’s one in particular that is SUPER cool. I am itching to be able to show you guys! In the meantime, I thought I’d end with this short video interview the team did with me while on set of the commercial. I talk about the start of Bright.Bazaar, my approach to colour and what ‘colour outside the lines’ means to me. Check it out and let me know what you think!I’ve love to know how you do/plan to colour outside the lines? What does it mean to you? Thanks so much for following along with my colour adventures, folks!
// Photography by Valspar, with permission | Posted in partnership with Valspar Paints, all views my own
51 Comments
Whoop whoop!!!! We are really lucky to have you as part of our team! x
@Jane – Thank you so much. Honoured to be working with you all! x
You continue to be such an inspiration to me! Congratulations on all your success and please keep on inspiring us all with your colour ideas!! :)))
@Jules – That’s really kind of you to say, thank you. Roll on more colourful adventures!
Wow! This is a perfect partnership Will. You are a great fit for them. I squealed to my fiancé when I saw you in the advert earlier! x
@Emma – That means a lot, thanks. I’ve yet to see the advert on TV as I am away, but hoping to catch it soon! x
Couldn’t be more proud of you and yes, it’s absolutely a match made in heaven! Although we have different styles in terms of interiors, colour plays such an important part of my life and decor as well – I couldn’t imagine decorating fully in neutrals. Even though I can certainly appreciate neutral interiors, I just know that I couldn’t live my life in a home with no brights and no ZING. Can’t wait to check out the new line at my B&Q and really so pleased for you – it’s well deserved!! xxx
@Kimberly – I totally agree. I actually love neutrals paired with brighter accents, or even an all grey scheme, for example. For me, it’s when everything is the same shade of magnolia as the developers leave a newly built house and there’s just zero personality that I’m not a fan of. Love reading about your relationship with hue – thanks for sharing, and for your support! x
Well deserved! Soon the world will be completely filled with color 😉
@Trevor – Yes, please! Thanks for the kind words! 🙂
So proud of you. Congrats on this new adventure!
@Lindsey – Thanks so much for the support! x
Hey Will.
I’m so proud of you and I think you are the PERFECT person to do this job. It’s a heavenly made match. You are such an inspiration to me an to all of us. Keep on making our lives more colorful.
Best wishes,
Markus
@Markus – That’s such a lovely comment, thank you! Here’s to colour the world around!
Such a great project, just perfect for you really. Very pleased for you Will.
@Matthew – Cheers, Matthew! 🙂
I love the commercial all together but particularly how you run down the stairs and into the city; also that music makes me happy. I LOVED watching your interview and It goes without saying that every time I see yellow and stripes I think of you. As a floral designer, I love color too and try to utilize it in ways that are a little “outside the lines”. I look forward to seeing your future projects with Valspar. You are a perfect ambassador Will!
@Kiana – I agree, the music is great! And, your floral arrangements are totally outside the lines! I adore your use of colour! Thanks for your kind and generous support. xx
I simply love it! You perfectly fit into this world, bright and brilliant, full of colors and life. I really feel the happiness and joy on the spot.
@Serena – Yes, I felt totally at home! 🙂
Well done Will – they couldn’t have picked a better ambassador! You’re a natural in front of the camera. xx
@Mel – That’s really kind of you to say, thank you! x
Love the commercial, fun and creative and you look great in it. Congratulations, this is a fun project, I’m happy for you.
@Louise – Thank you! So pleased you like the advert!
Looove this post. Love the sheep too. Beautiful colours, amazing.
I want to advertise, please get in touch!!
Many thanks, Lowri
@Lowri – Thanks! Yes, the sheep are so adorable!
I can’t think of a more perfect color ambassador – bravo Will!
@Susan – That’s really kind of you to say, thank you!
What a perfect match! Love the advert and your interview, big congratulations! x
@Gabrielle – Thank you! x
Very cool!
The Office Stylist
@TOS – Thanks!
Please can you tell me were the fountains sequence is shot. It’s causing a few arguements in our house!
It is a fabulous advert.
@Rosemary – Somerset House, I believe!
I love the commercial. Love your interview too and Valspar paints. Our green kitchen table is Valspar spray paint. We painted it years ago and it is still going strong and still looks lovely – great product! You are the best choice for this job Will, Congrats and thanks for continuing to spread colour happiness.
@Mary Beth – Thank you so much for all your kind words!
Big congrats, Will….you deserve all the success!! Thanks for bringing color into so many lives!
@Melissa – Thank you very much! 🙂
Ha, I thought it was you in the commercial! Congrats!! xx
@Monika – Thank you!
Congrats Will! Much deserved, and I can’t wait to see what else y’all have up your sleeves.
@TKG – Cheers, Josh!
this is my first visit to bright bazaar. i love it!! love the brand message. both videos are inspiring and beautiful!
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@Becky – Welcome! Thanks so much for stopping by and for the kind words!
Will, this is awesome! It’s so cool to see you in this ad – I actually did a casting for it too but you’re 100% suited to it – congrats! I’m currently colour hunting the perfect backdrops around London for shots for Boden, I need to do a London-wide reccie!
Lucy x
@Lucy – Yay! Thank you! Happy colour hunting! x
Hi Will, love this. On a different subject, regarding your video chat March 2, is that 8 PM Central USA time? (that’s my time zone). Thanks
@Mary Beth – Thank you! The video chat is 8pm GMT so 2pm Central USA time!
thank you for time information Will, Can’t wait for March 2, it’ll almost be like you do have your own talk show, Whoo Hoo!
The Valspar ad really struck a cord with me. We moved into a cotswold stone cottage 7 years ago and for the first 3 years I went down the traditional muted tones of duck egg, grey and creams. Although nice i never really felt like it was me. After an 18 month deployment to the Falkland Islands I came back and slowly started to embrace my colourful side. I started with a pink kitchen, then orange bathroom, a yellow hall, turquoise bedroom, red polka dot room you name it I probably have the colour in my house! I started quite the controversy when I painted my front door lilac, the village was split down the middle in opinion. But, as your advert says its about me not trend not opinion of others but what makes me happy. This colour house of mine makes me smile every time I come home and its me down to a t! I am on Face book under The Colour House where I share some of my home colours and my rather colourful felted creations. Thanks for championing colour.
@Helen – So pleased you enjoyed the advert and I loved reading about your own adventures with colour!